Filmmaker Imran Perretta and performer Ella Bruccoleri are among 21 creatives selected for the 2026 BAFTA Breakthrough cohort. Perretta co-wrote and directed Ish, while Bruccoleri is recognised for her work on The Other Bennet Sister.
BAFTA describes Breakthrough as a programme for people approaching or experiencing a significant career moment. Now in its 13th year, the year-long initiative offers participants one-to-one meetings, career guidance, full BAFTA voting membership, and access to events, screenings and networking opportunities in the UK and internationally.
Participants are chosen through an open application process. This year’s UK cohort spans film, documentary and unscripted, television, and games. Other selected creatives include TV performers Izuka Hoyle and Sophie Stone, documentary filmmaker Myrid Carten, and games creative director Kate Killick.
BAFTA CEO Jane Millichip said the cohort’s varied backgrounds and skills would bring a broad range of stories to screens. Past Breakthrough participants include Josh O’Connor, Florence Pugh, Jessie Buckley, Letitia Wright and Tom Holland.
The full cohort comprises Hollie Bryan, Louis Paxton, Lucy Allen, Imran Perretta, Regina Meessen, Ted Evans and Tom Payne in film; Chris Lynch, Myrid Carten and Runako Celina in documentary and unscripted; Ella Bruccoleri, Izuka Hoyle, Philippa Mumford, Sophie Stone, Tom Cousins and Yassmin Abdel-Magied in television; and Eloise Singer, Husban Siddiqi, Kate Killick, Niru Fekri-Arnold and Tom McKay in games.
Sources: Deadline.